Hunter, who became the player development coordinator in August 2012, played 17 NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls.

He last played in the league in 2010 and was the No. 10 overall pick out of Jackson State in 1993. Before coming to Phoenix, the 42-year-old previously was a player development assistant with the Bulls.

Hunter takes over a team in desperate need of a change. At the halfway point this season, the Suns are 13-28 and in the last place in the Western Conference.

Assistant coaches Elston Turner, Dan Majerle and Igor Kokoskov were also up for consideration.